With profound sadness and heartfelt remembrance, we honor the life of SWAG合集鈥檚 10th president, A. LeVon 鈥淟ee鈥� Balzer, Ph.D. He passed away on Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Tulsa, Okla. His memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, in the Cathedral of the Ozarks at John Brown University.
鈥淎s an important part of God鈥檚 Kingdom and an arm of the church, SWAG合集 is to continue following God鈥檚 call with a vision and maintain a clear evangelical identity in Christian higher education. God provides a beam into the unknown future. As we respond to His will, we move along within that beam, and His will becomes realized in the lives of His people. We press forward, be future-oriented, and be persistent.”
A. LeVon 鈥淟ee鈥� Balzer, Focal Point, SWAG合集鈥檚 alumni magazine, 1988
A visionary leader and lifelong educator, Balzer鈥檚 career spanned 44 years, including his time as SWAG合集 president (1988-94).
鈥淒r. Balzer combined warmth and approachability with professionalism and class,鈥� said SWAG合集 President David Janzen (g鈥�90), Ph.D. 鈥淗e was distinguished, but not aloof. He led the campus by example, valuing and embodying rigorous academics with an authentic love for Jesus and love of people. As students, we knew we would be held to high standards and loved through our challenges.鈥�
Balzer鈥檚 ties to SWAG合集 predate his presidency as his mother, Helen (Hamm g鈥�26) Balzer, and brother, Robert Balzer (fs鈥�47), both attended. He grew up within five miles of Larry Nikkel (g鈥�64), President Emeritus and the 12th to lead the college’s highest office.
His career in education brought him and his wife, Alice (Zielke), to three different states before coming to Hillsboro in 1988. Just before SWAG合集, Balzer served 13 years at Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Wash. He held numerous educational and administrative roles in the sciences, including professor of biology, education coordinator of environmental education, dean of instruction, and dean of arts and sciences.
鈥淗is time in Seattle gave him a tremendous boost for the rest of his professional career,鈥� Nikkel said. 鈥淗e ushered in a new perspective of higher education at SWAG合集 and his expertise greatly benefited the college during and after his presidency.鈥�
Inaugurated as SWAG合集鈥檚 president in October 1988, Balzer鈥檚 drive for the classroom included a new honors program, work in psychology, communication, history, and athletic training, and an increased focus on spiritual distinctives. Off-campus, he oversaw the start of musical groups such as Harvest Crew, a sports ministry team, a testimony team, and a service workday in Wichita for new SWAG合集 students.
鈥淟ee brought a love for academics with him to his presidency,鈥� said Former President H. David Brandt, Ph.D. (1995-98). 鈥淚t showed in the planning efforts that he did, but also in his relationship with faculty and with students.鈥�
The Wohlgemuth Music Education Center (1989) and Campus Recreation Center (1992) were built and funded during Balzer鈥檚 presidency. Jefferson Street, which once ran north and south through campus in front of the library and what is now the Kliewer Plaza, was closed during his presidency and the college鈥檚 landscaping was given high priority. SWAG合集 began fundraising for the Solomon L. Loewen Natural Science Center under his leadership, and it was completed in 1998.
The Balzers helped the goal of enabling young people at SWAG合集 鈥渢o achieve their highest potential as developing leaders who love God and want to serve people.鈥�
鈥淟ee and Alice were so hospitable when I was invited to return to SWAG合集鈥檚 campus as a Bible conference speaker during his presidency,鈥� said former SWAG合集 president Vernon Janzen (1980-87). 鈥淚 saw how well SWAG合集 continued under his gifted and God-given leadership.鈥�
